SEPTEMBER 2, 1952

Full News Archive

• Headline: Truman and Stevenson Cut Off on Labor Day. Impact: When Truman and Stevenson were cut off, it led to a series of awkward dinner parties where everyone had to find new topics to talk about other than politics. This ultimately resulted in a global obsession with small talk about the weather, which we still suffer from today. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'let’s talk about the weather' was actually invented at a Truman-Stevenson dinner party in 1952? Just kidding, but it should have been.
• Headline: Wages Based on Family Needs Advocated. Impact: Rev. Kelly’s plea for wage adjustments based on family needs eventually spiraled into the concept of 'living wages'—a term that has been debated more than the existence of Bigfoot. Fact: Did you know that the first living wage was actually just a suggestion to pay people in pizza? It’s a delicious idea, but it didn’t quite catch on.
• Headline: MOSSADEGH WANTS U. S.-BRITISH OFFER ON OIL SPELLED OUT; Clarification of Some Terms to Settle Dispute Would Be Welcomed in Teheran IRANIANS SUSPECT TRAPS Informed Circles Now Doubt Cities Service Head Plans to Run Paralyzed Industry MOSSADEGH WANTS OIL OFFER DEFINED. Impact: Mossadegh's oil demands and concerns about traps led to decades of geopolitical intrigue, eventually culminating in a love-hate relationship between Iran and the West, where oil became the ultimate frenemy. Fact: Did you know that the phrase 'It's complicated' was first used in the context of oil negotiations? It’s a classic relationship status.
• Headline: Organized Crime, Now Lying Low, Due to Flare Up, Bar Study Warns; END OF CRIME LULL SEEN IN BAR REPORT. Impact: The organized crime lull and subsequent resurgence led to the birth of countless crime dramas, shaping pop culture’s obsession with the 'bad guy'—because, who doesn’t love a villain with a backstory?. Fact: Did you know that the term 'crime drama' was originally a typo in a 1950s newspaper? It was meant to say 'crime llama,' but the public was too intrigued to correct it.
• Headline: UNIONS TOLD TO WIN 'LIBERAL' CONGRESS; Green, Haywood, Carey Ask This in Labor Day Messages -- Murray for Annual Wage Labor Leaders Bid Union Members Win 'Liberal' Congress in November. Impact: The call for a 'liberal' Congress by labor leaders marked the beginning of political slogans that would make every election feel like a bad infomercial. The phrase 'liberal Congress' has since been used more times than the phrase 'but wait, there’s more!'. Fact: Did you know that in 1952, an actual infomercial was proposed for Congress? It featured politicians selling 'revolutionary ideas,' but it never aired due to lack of funding.
• Headline: TAFT LAW CHANGE URGED; Alexander Says He Will Fight Act if Named to Senate. Impact: Alexander's urge for a Taft Law change opened the floodgates for political maneuvering, eventually leading to the phrase, 'politics as usual,' which is really just code for 'we're all just winging it.'. Fact: Did you know that the Taft Law was initially proposed as a recommendation for a new ice cream flavor? Turns out, politics and dairy don’t mix well.
• Headline: Porgy' Troupe Off for Europe. Impact: The Porgy troupe's European tour inadvertently sparked a cultural exchange that led to the bizarre trend of American musicals being performed in foreign languages, often with hilariously awkward translations. Fact: Did you know that one of the most popular translations of 'Porgy and Bess' in Europe included a character named 'Blinky' instead of 'Bess'? They thought it sounded more modern!.
• Headline: Books of The Times. Impact: The book 'Daughter of Confucius' led to a resurgence in interest in ancient philosophy, sparking countless memes and quotes plastered on coffee mugs, because nothing screams wisdom like a caffeine-fueled epiphany. Fact: Did you know that Confucius once said, 'Man who stands on toilet is high on pot'? Just kidding—he never said that, but it would make a great mug slogan!.